Viscosity reduction of highly concentrated protein formulations

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compositions of highly concentrated protein formulations showing reduced viscosity. The contained proteins in the prepared formulations are stabilized against aggregation and denaturation and are thus sufficiently storage-stable until administration to the patient

The present invention relates to compositions of highly concentratedprotein formulations showing reduced viscosity. The contained proteinsin the prepared formulations are stabilized against aggregation anddenaturation and are thus sufficiently storage-stable untiladministration to the patient.

STATE OF THE ART

Most biotherapeutic proteinic products in development are monoclonalantibodies (mAb) or related formats such as bi-specific antibodies orantibody fragments. The therapeutic doses of such products across abroad range of clinically important indications are often high.

But peptides and proteins are larger and more complex than traditionalorganic and inorganic drugs (i.e. possessing multiple functional groupsin addition to complex three-dimensional structures), the formulation ofsuch proteins poses special problems. One of these problems is theincreased viscosity of protein formulations, especially at highconcentration.

The latter, however, is a particular problem because it is highlydesirable from a patient convenience, compliance and overall healthcarecost perspective for the resultant products to be delivered via a lowvolume subcutaneous injection.

But a combination of the high therapeutic dose and the highly desirablelow injection volume often leads to a need for very highly concentratedformulations of the active ingredient. It is well known that achievingstable aqueous formulations of biotherapeutics at high concentration canbe exceptionally challenging, often leading to a considerable increasein the rate of aggregation, particle formation and in viscosity. Highviscosity is unacceptable as it significantly limits the injectabilityof the product.

Antibody and other protein therapeutics may be administeredparenterally, such as by intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) orsubcutaneous (SC) route. Subcutaneous injection has gained increasingattention for the delivery of protein therapeutics due to its potentialto simplify patient administration (fast, low-volume injection) andreduced treatment costs (shorter medical assistance). To ensure patientcompliance, it is desirable that subcutaneous injection dosage forms beisotonic and include small injection volumes (<2.0 ml per injectionsite). To reduce injection volume, proteins are often administeredwithin the range of 1 mg/ml to 150 mg/ml.

Thus, primarily development of protein formulations for subcutaneousadministration is often associated with viscosity challenges. Volumelimitations (<2 ml) and dose requirements (usually >100 mgadministration) often demand for highly concentrated proteinformulations.

But at high concentrations, as already said, proteins tend to formhighly viscous solutions and the stability can become problematic due tothe formation of soluble and insoluble protein-protein aggregates. Assuch viscosity is a severe challenge for

a) the manufacturing process and

b) the administration to the patient.

In the manufacturing process, highly concentrated protein formulationsthat are highly viscous, present difficulties in processing,particularly in ultrafiltration and sterile filtration.

mAb-based therapies are usually administered repeatedly over an extendedperiod of time and require several mg/kg dosing. Antibody solutions orsuspensions can be administered via parenteral routes, such as byintravenous (IV) infusions, and subcutaneous (SC) or intramuscular (IM)injections. Here, in injection solutions, the high viscosity is aproblem.

To solve this problem and to improve the stability of the solution,additives and excipients in higher concentrations are usually added aswell. At protein concentrations that are desirable for formulationsintended for intramuscular or subcutaneous administration, highconcentrations of stabilizers, such as sucrose and sodium chloride, arerequired to achieve long-term protein stability. The resulting solutionsoften cause injection pain due high injection forces and to tissuedamages. Therefore, it is critical to balance the needed amounts ofstabilizers for stability and osmolarity of the high proteinconcentration formulations.

As a consequence, the technical hurdles attributed to viscosityoftentimes lead to failure to develop protein formulations forsubcutaneous delivery.

In order to increase success rates in the development of subcutaneousformulations, the reduction of and control of viscosity by chemical wayshas gained considerable attention in recent years.

A large number of publications and patent applications refer toexcipients from the family of salts (mostly NaCl) and of special aminoacids, preferably arginine, histidine and proline, which have shown tobe efficient in lowering the viscosity of certain high-concentrationprotein therapeutics.

Unfortunately, these well-known approaches for lowering the viscosityare not universally applicable, probably due to the fact that theviscosity of protein formulations is the result of variousintermolecular forces.

Depending on the protein molecule and its formulation conditions,different interactions may affect the viscosity, such as molecularcrowding, or dipole interactions or interactions between hydrophobic orcharged groups.

Consequently, the pharmaceutical industry has a strong need forviscosity-reducing excipients, especially as an alternative option whenstandard solutions based on NaCl and amino acids mentioned above, fail.

A high number of viscosity lowering additives and excipients has beenresearched in the past. Nowadays, one of the most prominent ones isarginine, besides histidine, lysine, and camphor-10-sulfonic acid. In aresearch paper from Zheng Guo et al., (“Structure-Activity Relationshipfor Hydrophobic Salts as Viscosity-Lowering Excipients for ConcentratedSolutions of Monoclonal Antibodies”, Pharmaceutical Research, vol. 29,no. 11, Jun. 13, 2012, p. 3182-3189) many more unique molecules aredescribed exhibiting viscosity lowering properties. At present, stillnot all therapeutic proteins solutions exhibiting viscosity issues athigh concentration can be adequately addressed by the knownviscosity-lowering excipients.

OBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Protein formulations (e.g. monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins etc.)intended for pharmaceutical applications usually require stabilizersagainst undesired aggregation and to prevent physical or chemicaldegradation.

These problems are worsened at high protein concentrations which areoften desirable for therapeutic administration of this class ofmolecules.

At high concentrations, the proteins tend to self-associate, resultingin high viscosity formulations, and complicating e.g. the administrationof these protein solutions by injection, but also of manufacturingprocesses, in which a tangential flow filtration is often used for thebuffer exchange and for the increase of protein concentration. Byincreasing the back pressure and shear stress during injection andfiltration, the therapeutic protein is potentially destabilized orprocess times are prolonged. Accordingly, there is a high need withinthe biopharmaceutical industry for formulation additives and excipients,or combinations thereof, with viscosity lowering features. However,formulating proteins like monoclonal antibodies requires a carefulselection of formulation additives and/or excipients to avoid proteindenaturation and loss of biological activity.

But still a high number of emerging new antibodies and antibody-formatsrequire the development of suitable, innovative viscosity loweringadditives and/or excipients or of specific additive/excipientcombinations or of targeted formulation strategies. Theseadditives/excipients have to be pharmaceutically safe because proteinformulations are administered parenterally, which includes theintravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intradermal or subcutaneousroute. Accordingly, the additives which can be used in theseformulations must be physiologically compatible and must not have anyundesired side effects and must under no circumstances lead to allergicreactions; in particular, they must not cause any anaphylactoid sideeffects.

SUBJECT-MATTER OF THE INVENTION

The subject of the present invention is a method for reducing theviscosity of a liquid highly concentrated formulation of apharmaceutically active protein comprising the step of combining theprotein solution with a viscosity-reducing concentration of an excipientselected from the group consisting of meglumine, ornithine, carnitine,benzenesulfonic acid and sodium p-toluene sulfonic acid, gluconic acid,glucuronic acid, aminocaproic acid and succinate or mixtures thereof. Inparticular, the present invention relates to formulations in which theconcentration of the protein is in the range of at least 50 mg/ml up to300 mg/ml and wherein the therapeutic protein is selected from the groupof antibodies, antibody fragments, minibody, a modified antibody,antibody-like molecule and fusion protein.

Particularly good viscosity-lowering effects are achieved, by theclaimed methods when meglumine is added together with benzenesulfonicacid as counterion or sodium p-toluene sulfonic acid as counterion, butalso if ornithine and benzenesulfonic acid as counterions are added orornithine or sodium p-toluene sulfonic as counterion, or of furthersuitable combinations, which are effective. This effect is achieved inparticular when these combinations are added in equimolar amounts.Especially by adding said excipients mentioned, a reduction of theviscosity of at least 12% can be achieved and under optimum conditionsof up to 80%.

A concentrated pharmaceutical formulation of a pharmaceutically activeprotein or peptide including the claimed embodiments is also an objectof the present invention. The therapeutic protein may be selected fromthe group of antibodies, antibody fragments, minibody, a modifiedantibody, antibody-like molecule and fusion proteins. Furthermore, themethod, such as claimed, for producing lyophilized powders fromcompositions such as claimed is an object of this invention. However, akit containing the claimed compositions is also within the scope of thisinvention as well as a kit containing the claimed compositions and itsapplication is also within the scope of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As outlined above, high protein concentrations pose challenges relatingto the physical and chemical stability of the protein, as well asdifficulties with manufacture, storage, and administration of theprotein formulation. A major problem is the tendency of proteins toaggregate and form particulates during processing and/or storage, whichmakes manipulations during further processing and/or administrationdifficult. Concentration-dependent degradation and/or aggregation aremajor challenges in developing protein formulations at higherconcentrations. In addition to the potential for non-native proteinaggregation and particulate formation, reversible self-association inaqueous solutions may occur, which contributes to, among other things,increased viscosity that complicates delivery by injection.

Definitions

The term “protein,” as generally used herein, refers to a polymer ofamino acids linked to each other by peptide bonds to form a polypeptidefor which the chain length is sufficient to produce at least adetectable tertiary structure. Proteins having a molecular weight(expressed in kDa wherein “Da” stands for “Daltons” and 1 kDa=1,000 Da)greater than about 100 kDa may be designated “high-molecular-weightproteins,” whereas proteins having a molecular weight less than about100 kDa may be designated “low-molecular-weight proteins.” The term“low-molecular-weight protein” excludes small peptides lacking therequisite of at least tertiary structure necessary to be considered aprotein. Protein molecular weight may be determined using standardmethods known to one skilled in the art, including, but not limited to,mass spectrometry (e.g., ESI, MALDI) or calculation from known aminoacid sequences and glycosylation. Proteins can be naturally occurring ornon-naturally occurring, synthetic, or semi-synthetic.

“Essentially pure protein(s)” and “substantially pure protein(s)” areused interchangeably herein and refer to a composition comprising atleast about 90% by weight pure protein, preferably at least about 95%pure protein by weight. “Essentially homogeneous” and “substantiallyhomogeneous” are used interchangeably herein and refer to a compositionwherein at least about 90% by weight of the protein present is acombination of the monomer and reversible di- and oligomeric associates(not irreversible aggregates), preferably at least about 95%.

The term “antibody,” as generally used herein, broadly covers mAbs(including full-length antibodies which have an immunoglobulin Fcregion), antibody compositions with polyepitopic specificity, bispecificantibodies, diabodies, and single-chain antibody molecules, as well asantibody fragments (e.g., Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)2, and Fv), single domainantibodies, multivalent single domain antibodies, Fab fusion proteins,and fusions thereof.

The term “monoclonal antibody” or “mAb,” as generally used herein,refers to an antibody obtained from a population of substantiallyhomogeneous antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodies comprising thepopulation are identical, except for possible naturally occurringmutations that may be present in minor amounts. Monoclonal antibodiesare highly specific, being directed against a single epitope. These aretypically synthesized by culturing hybridoma cells, as described byKohler et al. (Nature 256: 495, 1975), or may be made by recombinant DNAmethods (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567), or isolated from phageantibody libraries using the techniques described in Clackson et al.(Nature 352: 624-628, 1991) and Marks et al. (J. Mol. Biol. 222:581-597, 1991), for example. As used herein, “mAbs” specifically includederivatized antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and “chimeric”antibodies in which a portion of the heavy and/or light chain isidentical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodiesderived from a particular species or belonging to a particular antibodyclass or subclass, while the remainder of the chain(s) is (are)identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodiesderived from another species or belonging to another antibody class orsubclass, as well as fragments of such antibodies, so long as theyexhibit the desired biological activity (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567;Morrison et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:6851-6855, 1984).

An “antibody fragment” comprises a portion of an intact antibody,including the antigen binding and/or the variable region of the intactantibody.

Examples of antibody fragments include Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)2, and Fvfragments; diabodies; linear antibodies (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,870;Zapata et al., Protein Eng. 8:1057-1062, 1995); single-chain antibodymolecules; multivalent single domain antibodies; and multispecificantibodies formed from antibody fragments.

“Humanized” forms of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies are chimericimmunoglobulins, immunoglobulin chains, or fragments thereof (such asFv, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)2, or other antigen-binding subsequences ofantibodies) of mostly human sequences, which contain minimal sequencesderived from non-human immunoglobulin. (See, e.g., Jones et al., Nature321:522-525, 1986; Reichmann et al., Nature 332:323-329, 1988; andPresta, Curr. Op. Struct. Biol. 2:593-596, 1992.)

In this context, the term “therapeutically active protein” is understoodto mean, in simple terms, that it is a protein or peptide which isselected from the group of antibodies, antibody fragments, minibody, amodified antibody, antibody-like molecule and fusion protein and whichis defined as described above.

“Rheology” refers to the study of the deformation and flow of matter and“viscosity” refers to the resistance of a substance (typically a liquid)to flow.

Viscosity is related to the concept of shear force; it can be understoodas the effect of different layers of the fluid exerting shearing forceon each other, or on other surfaces, as they move against each other.There are several measures of viscosity. The units of viscosity areNs/m², known as Pascal-seconds (Pa-s). Viscosity can be “kinematic” or“absolute”.

Kinematic viscosity is a measure of the rate at which momentum istransferred through a fluid. It is measured in Stokes (St). Thekinematic viscosity is a measure of the resistive flow of a fluid underthe influence of gravity. When two fluids of equal volume and differingviscosity are placed in identical capillary viscometers and allowed toflow by gravity, the more viscous fluid takes longer than the lessviscous fluid to flow through the capillary. If, for example, one fluidtakes 200 seconds (s) to complete its flow and another fluid takes 400s, the second fluid is called twice as viscous as the first on akinematic viscosity scale. The dimension of kinematic viscosity islength²/time. Commonly, kinematic viscosity is expressed in centiStokes(cSt). The SI unit of kinematic viscosity is mm²/s, which is equal to 1cSt. The “absolute viscosity,” sometimes called “dynamic viscosity” or“simple viscosity,” is the product of kinematic viscosity and fluiddensity. Absolute viscosity is expressed in units of centipoise (cP).The SI unit of absolute viscosity is the milliPascal-second (mPa-s),where 1 cP=1 mPa-s.

Viscosity may be measured by using, for example, a viscometer at a givenshear rate or multiple shear rates. An “extrapolated zero-shear”viscosity can be determined by creating a best fit line of the fourhighest-shear points on a plot of absolute viscosity versus shear rate,and linearly extrapolating viscosity back to zero-shear. Alternatively,for a Newtonian fluid, viscosity can be determined by averagingviscosity values at multiple shear rates. Viscosity can also be measuredusing a microfluidic viscometer at single or multiple shear rates (alsocalled flow rates), wherein absolute viscosity is derived from a changein pressure as a liquid flows through a channel. Viscosity equals shearstress over shear rate.

Viscosities measured with microfluidic viscometers can, in someembodiments, be directly compared to extrapolated zero-shearviscosities, for example those extrapolated from viscosities measured atmultiple shear rates using a cone and plate viscometer.

“Shear rate” refers to the rate of change of velocity at which one layerof fluid passes over an adjacent layer. The velocity gradient is therate of change of velocity with distance from the plates. This simplecase shows the uniform velocity gradient with shear rate (v₁-v₂)/h inunits of (cm/sec)/(cm)=1/sec. Hence, shear rate units are reciprocalseconds or, in general, reciprocal time. For a microfluidic viscometer,change in pressure and flow rate are related to shear rate. “Shear rate”is to the speed with which a material is deformed. Formulationscontaining proteins and viscosity-lowering agents are typically measuredat shear rates ranging from about 0.5 s⁻¹ to about 200 s⁻¹ when measuredusing a cone and plate viscometer and a spindle appropriately chosen byone skilled in the art to accurately measure viscosities in theviscosity range of the sample of interest (i.e., a sample of 20 cP ismost accurately measured on a CPE40 spindle affixed to a DV2T viscometer(Brookfield)); greater than about 20 s⁻¹ to about 3,000 s⁻¹ whenmeasured using a microfluidic viscometer.

For classical “Newtonian” fluids, as generally used herein, viscosity isessentially independent of shear rate. For “non-Newtonian fluids,”however, viscosity either decreases or increases with increasing shearrate, e.g., the fluids are “shear thinning” or “shear thickening”,respectively. In the case of concentrated (i.e., high-concentration)protein solutions, this may manifest as pseudoplastic shear-thinningbehavior, i.e., a decrease in viscosity with shear rate.

The term “chemical stability,” as generally used herein, refers to theability of the protein components in a formulation to resist degradationvia chemical pathways, such as oxidation, deamidation, or hydrolysis. Aprotein formulation is typically considered chemically stable if lessthan about 5% of the components are degraded after 24 months at 4° C.

The term “physical stability,” as generally used herein, refers to theability of a protein formulation to resist physical deterioration, suchas aggregation. A formulation that is physically stable forms only anacceptable percentage of irreversible aggregates (e.g., dimers, trimers,or other aggregates) of the bioactive protein agent. The presence ofaggregates may be assessed in several ways, including by measuring theaverage particle size of the proteins in the formulation by means ofdynamic light scattering. A formulation is considered physically stableif less than about 5% irreversible aggregates are formed after 24 monthsat 4° C. Acceptable levels of aggregated contaminants ideally would beless than about 2%. Levels as low as about 0.2% are achievable, althoughapproximately 1% is more typical.

The term “stable formulation,” as generally used herein, means that aformulation is both chemically stable and physically stable. A stableformulation may be one in which more than about 95% of the bioactiveprotein molecules retain bioactivity in a formulation after 24 months ofstorage at 4° C., or equivalent solution conditions at an elevatedtemperature, such as one month storage at 40° C. Various analyticaltechniques for measuring protein stability are available in the art andare reviewed, for example, in Peptide and Protein Drug Delivery,247-301, Vincent Lee, Ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y. (1991)and Jones, A., Adv. Drug Delivery Revs. 10:29-90, 1993. Stability can bemeasured at a selected temperature for a certain time period. For rapidscreening, for example, the formulation may be kept at 40° C., for 2weeks to one month, at which time residual biological activity ismeasured and compared to the initial condition to assess stability. Whenthe formulation is to be stored at 2° C.-8° C., generally theformulation should be stable at 30° C. or 40° C. for at least one monthand/or stable at 2° C.-8° C. for at least 2 years.

When the formulation is to be stored at room temperature, about 25° C.,generally the formulation should be stable for at least 2 years at about25° C. and/or stable at 40° C. for at least about 6 months. The extentof aggregation following lyophilization and storage can be used as anindicator of protein stability. In some embodiments, the stability isassessed by measuring the particle size of the proteins in theformulation. In some embodiments, stability may be assessed by measuringthe activity of a formulation using standard biological activity orbinding assays well within the abilities of one ordinarily skilled inthe art.

The term protein “particle size,” as generally used herein, means theaverage diameter of the predominant population of bioactive moleculeparticulates, or particle size distributions thereof, in a formulationas determined by using well known particle sizing instruments, forexample, dynamic light scattering, SEC (size exclusion chromatography),or other methods known to one ordinarily skilled in the art.

The term “concentrated” or “high-concentration”, as generally usedherein, describes liquid protein formulations having a finalconcentration of protein of at least 1 mg/ml, especially greater thanabout 10 mg/mL, preferably greater than about 50 mg/mL, more preferablygreater than about 100 mg/mL, still more preferably greater than about200 mg/mL, or most preferably greater than about 250 mg/mL.

A “reconstituted formulation,” as generally used herein, refers to aformulation which has been prepared by dissolving a dry powder,lyophilized, spray-dried or solvent-precipitated protein in a diluent,such that the protein is dissolved or dispersed in aqueous solution foradministration.

A “lyoprotectant” is a substance which, when combined with a protein,significantly reduces chemical and/or physical instability of theprotein upon lyophilization and/or subsequent storage. The lyoprotectantis generally added to the pre-lyophilized formulation in a“lyoprotecting amount.” This means that, following lyophilization of theprotein in the presence of the lyoprotecting amount of thelyoprotectant, the protein essentially retains its physical and chemicalstability and integrity.

A “diluent” or “carrier,” as generally used herein, is apharmaceutically acceptable (i.e., safe and non-toxic for administrationto a human or another mammal) and useful ingredient for the preparationof a liquid formulation, such as an aqueous formulation reconstitutedafter lyophilization. Exemplary diluents include sterile water,bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI), a pH buffered solution (e.g.,phosphate-buffered saline), sterile saline solution, Ringer's solutionor dextrose solution, and combinations thereof.

A “preservative” is a compound which can be added to the formulationsherein to reduce contamination by and/or action of bacteria, fungi, oranother infectious agent. The addition of a preservative may, forexample, facilitate the production of a multi-use (multiple-dose)formulation.

A “bulking agent,” as generally used herein, is a compound which addsmass to a lyophilized mixture and contributes to the physical structureof the lyophilized cake (e.g. facilitates the production of anessentially uniform lyophilized cake which maintains an open porestructure).

A “therapeutically effective amount” is the least concentration requiredto effect a measurable improvement or prevention of any symptom or aparticular condition or disorder, to effect a measurable enhancement oflife expectancy, or to generally improve patient quality of life. Thetherapeutically effective amount is dependent upon the specificbiologically active molecule and the specific condition or disorder tobe treated.

Therapeutically effective amounts of many proteins, such as the mAbsdescribed herein, are well known in the art. The therapeuticallyeffective amounts of proteins not yet established or for treatingspecific disorders with known proteins, such as mAbs, to be clinicallyapplied to treat additional disorders may be determined by standardtechniques which are well within the craft of a skilled artisan, such asa physician.

The term “injectability” or “syringeability,” as generally used herein,refers to the injection performance of a pharmaceutical formulationthrough a syringe equipped with an 18-32-gauge needle, optionally thinwalled.

Injectability depends upon factors such as pressure or force requiredfor injection, evenness of flow, aspiration qualities, and freedom fromclogging.

Injectability of the liquid pharmaceutical formulations may be assessedby comparing the injection force of a reduced-viscosity formulation to astandard formulation without added viscosity-lowering agents. Thereduction in the injection force of the formulation containing aviscosity-lowering agent reflects improved injectability of thatformulation. The reduced viscosity formulations have improvedinjectability when the injection force is reduced by at least 10%,preferably by at least 30%, more preferably by at least 50%, and mostpreferably by at least 75% when compared to a standard formulationhaving the same concentration of protein under otherwise the sameconditions, except for replacement of the viscosity-lowering agent withan appropriate buffer of about the same concentration. Alternatively,injectability of the liquid pharmaceutical formulations may be assessedby comparing the time required to inject the same volume, such as 0.5mL, or more preferably about 1 mL, of different liquid proteinformulations when the syringe is depressed with the same force.

The term “injection force,” as generally used herein, refers to theforce required to push a given liquid formulation through a givensyringe equipped with a given needle gauge at a given injection speed.The injection force is typically reported in Newtons. For example, theinjection force may be measured as the force required to push a liquidformulation through a 1 mL plastic syringe having a 0.25 inch insidediameter, equipped with a 0.50-inch 27-gauge needle at a 250 mm/mininjection speed. Testing equipment can be used to measure the injectionforce.

When measured under the same conditions, a formulation with lowerviscosity will generally require an overall lower injection force.

The term “reduced-viscosity formulation,” as generally used herein,refers to a liquid formulation having a high concentration of ahigh-molecular-weight protein, such as a mAb, or a low-molecular-weightprotein that is modified by the presence of one or more additives tolower the viscosity, as compared to a corresponding formulation thatdoes not contain the viscosity-lowering additive(s) or agent(s).

The term “viscosity-lowering agent,” as used herein, refers to acompound which acts to reduce the viscosity of a solution relative tothe viscosity of the solution absent the viscosity-lowering agent. Theviscosity-lowering agent may be a single compound or may be a mixture ofone or more compounds. When the viscosity-lowering agent is a mixture oftwo or more compounds, the listed concentration refers to eachindividual agent, unless otherwise specified. By way of example, aformulation containing about 0.25 M meglumine benzenesulfonate as theviscosity-lowering agent is a solution having benzenesulfonic acid at aconcentration of 0.25 M, and meglumine at a concentration of 0.25 M.

Certain viscosity-lowering agents contain acidic or basic functionalgroups and may show hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, which togetherinfluence the interaction characteristics with comprising proteins ofthe solution. Whether or not the functional groups are fully orpartially ionized depends on the pH of the formulation they are in.Unless otherwise specified, reference to a formulation containing aviscosity-lowering agent having an ionizable functional group includesboth the parent compound and any possible ionized states.

The term “liquid formulation,” as used herein, is a protein that iseither supplied in an acceptable pharmaceutical diluent or one that isreconstituted in an acceptable pharmaceutical diluent prior toadministration to the patient.

Biosimilars can be produced by microbial cells (prokaryotic,eukaryotic), cell lines of human or animal origin (e.g., mammalian,avian, insect), or tissues derived from animals or plants. Theexpression construct for a proposed biosimilar product will generallyencode the same primary amino acid sequence as its reference product.Minor modifications, such as N- or C-terminal truncations that will nothave an effect on safety, purity, or potency, may be present.

A biosimilar mAb is similar to the reference mAb physiochemically orbiologically both in terms of safety and efficacy. The biosimilar mAbcan be evaluated against a reference mAb using one or more in vitrostudies including assays detailing binding to target antigen(s); bindingto isoforms of the Fc gamma receptors (FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII),FcRn, and complement (C1q); Fab-associated functions (e.g.neutralization of a soluble ligand, receptor activation or blockade); orFc-associated functions (e.g. antibody-dependent cell-mediatedcytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, complement activation).In vitro comparisons may be combined with in vivo data demonstratingsimilarity of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and/or safety.Clinical evaluations of a biosimilar mAb against a reference mAb caninclude comparisons of pharmacokinetic properties (e.g. AUC_(0-inf),AUC_(0-t), C_(max), t_(max), C_(trough)); pharmacodynamic endpoints; orsimilarity of clinical efficacy (e.g. using randomized, parallel groupcomparative clinical trials). The quality comparison between abiosimilar mAb and a reference mAb can be evaluated using establishedprocedures, including those described in the “Guideline on similarbiological medicinal products containing biotechnology-derived proteinsas active substance: Quality issues” (EMEA/CHMP/BWP/49348/2005), and the“Guideline on development, production, characterization andspecifications for monoclonal antibodies and related substances”(EMEA/CHMP/BWP/157653/2007).

Differences between a biosimilar mAb and a reference mAb can includepost-translational modification, e.g. by attaching to the mAb otherbiochemical groups such as a phosphate, various lipids andcarbohydrates; by proteolytic cleavage following translation; bychanging the chemical nature of an amino acid (e.g., formylation); or bymany other mechanisms.

Other post-translational modifications can be a consequence ofmanufacturing process operations—for example, glycation may occur withexposure of the product to reducing sugars. In other cases, storageconditions may be permissive for certain degradation pathways such asoxidation, deamidation, or aggregation, as all these product-relatedvariants may be included in a biosimilar mAb.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers tosalts prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acids andbases, including inorganic acids and bases, and organic acids and bases.

As used herein, term “alkyl group” refers to straight-chain,branched-chain and cyclic hydrocarbon groups. Unless specifiedotherwise, the term alkyl group embraces hydrocarbon groups containingone or more double or triple bonds. An alkyl group containing at leastone ring system is a “cycloalkyl” group. An alkyl group containing atleast one double bond is an “alkenyl group,” and an alkyl groupcontaining at least one triple bond is an “alkynyl group.”

The term as used herein, “Aryl” refers to aromatic carbon ring systems,including fused ring systems. In an “aryl” group, each of the atoms thatform the ring are carbon atoms.

As used herein “Heteroaryl” refers to aromatic ring systems, includingfused ring systems, wherein at least one of the atoms that forms thering is a heteroatom. Furthermore, the term as used herein “Heterocycle”refers to ring systems that, including fused ring systems, are notaromatic, wherein at least one of the atoms that forms the ring is aheteroatom.

The term as used herein, “heteroatom” is any non-carbon or non-hydrogenatom. Preferred heteroatoms include oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen.

Formulations

Biocompatible, low-viscosity protein solutions, such as those of mAbs,can be used to deliver therapeutically effective amounts of proteins involumes useful for subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM) injections,typically less than or about 2 ml for SC and less than or about 5 ml forIM, more preferably less than or about 1 ml for SC and less than orabout 3 ml for IM. The proteins can generally have any molecular weight,although in some embodiments high-molecular-weight proteins arepreferred. In other embodiments the proteins are low-molecular-weightproteins.

Now, the present invention provides a method of reducing the viscosityof and/or improving stability of a liquid pharmaceutical formulation ofa therapeutic protein, by combining the therapeutic protein and aviscosity-reducing amount of an excipient selected from the groupconsisting of meglumine, ornithine, carnitine, benzenesulfonic acid andsodium p-toluene sulfonic acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid,aminocaproic acid and succinate or mixtures thereof in equimolar amountsto the protein solutions.

Depending on the pH value of the solution, the concentration of theprotein solution, the nature of the protein, the resulting concentrationof the added excipient(s) and its (their) chemical nature the viscosityreducing effect varies.

In particular, when mixtures of meglumine and ornithine together withone of the counterions selected from toluene sulfonate andbenzenesulfonic acid are added in equimolar amounts to the concentratedprotein solution, for example to solutions of (mAbA and mAbB), aparticularly good viscosity reduction is achieved.

Unexpectedly, it was found by experiments that mixtures of the cationicamino-sugar meglumine in combination with the amino acid ornithine and anegatively charged counter ion, selected from sodium-p-toluene sulfonateand benzenesulfonic acid, as specific equimolar mixtures significantlyreduce the viscosity of highly concentrated protein liquid formulationsof monoclonal antibodies or of fusion proteins.

In exemplary embodiments, the therapeutic protein is at a high proteinconcentration as described above. In some embodiments, the reduction inviscosity is at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%,50%, 55%, 60%, 65% or 70% compared to control formulations in whichbuffer solution was added to the protein solution in the same amountinstead of the viscosity reducing agent solution.

In exemplary embodiments, the therapeutic protein is at a high proteinconcentration as described above of at least 50 mg/ml, preferably morethan 75 mg/ml, more preferable more than 100 mg/ml. Formulations testedand disclosed here have protein concentrations in the range of 150-280mg/ml. In some embodiments, the reduction in viscosity is at least about5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70% or75% compared to control formulations or more.

In another aspect, the invention provides liquid solutions comprising atherapeutic protein and an excipient selected from the group consistingof meglumine, ornithine, sodium-p-toluene sulfonate, and benzenesulfonicacid or mixtures thereof wherein the formulations exhibit reducedviscosity relative to control formulations. In exemplary embodiments,the therapeutic protein is at a high protein concentration as describedabove, and the excipient(s) described herein is present at aviscosity-reducing (weight: volume) concentration. Any of theseexcipients can be used at concentrations up to their solubility limit.Such solutions may further comprise other additives in an amounteffective to further improve stability, reduce aggregation, and/or makethe formulation isotonic, without significantly increasing viscosity.

In further embodiments, the concentration of the excipient selected fromthe group consisting meglumine, ornithine, carnitine, benzenesulfonicacid and sodium p-toluene sulfonic acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid,aminocaproic acid and succinate or mixtures thereof is at least about 50mM to about 300 mM, or at least about 100 mM to about 250 mM, or atleast about 140 mM to about 200 mM. In exemplary embodiments theconcentration of the excipient is at least about 50, 100, 105, 110, 115,120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185,190, 195, 200, 210, 220, 250, or 300 mM or greater. Other exemplaryembodiments include concentrations of excipients effective to make theformulation isotonic, without significantly increasing viscosity.Exemplary concentrations include those at least about 150 mM or greater,in further embodiments the amounts are at least about 170 mM or greater.

In another aspect, the invention provides lyophilized proteinformulations comprising a therapeutic protein and an excipient selectedfrom the group consisting of meglumine, ornithine, carnitine,benzenesulfonic acid and sodium p-toluene sulfonic acid, gluconic acid,glucuronic acid, aminocaproic acid and succinate or mixtures thereofwherein upon reconstitution with the recommended amount of diluent, theformulations exhibit reduced viscosity relative to control formulations.In exemplary embodiments, the therapeutic protein is at a high proteinconcentration as described above. In some embodiments, the excipient ispresent at an amount effective to reduce viscosity upon reconstitutionwith diluent (weight: weight concentration). Such formulations mayfurther comprise further additives, in an amount effective to furtherimprove stability, reduce aggregation, and/or make the formulationisotonic, without significantly increasing viscosity.

In exemplary embodiments, the concentration of the excipient selectedfrom the group consisting meglumine, ornithine, carnitine,benzenesulfonic acid and sodium p-toluene sulfonic acid, gluconic acid,glucuronic acid, aminocaproic acid and succinate or mixtures thereof isat least about 1 μg per mg therapeutic protein, up to about 1.0 mg permg therapeutic protein.

In some embodiments, the concentration of excipient is at least about 1,10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500 or 550 μg per mgtherapeutic protein. In other exemplary embodiments, the concentrationof excipient is up to about 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950 or1000 μg per mg therapeutic protein.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method ofpreventing self-association of proteins in liquid formulations by usingmeglumine, ornithine, carnitine, benzenesulfonic acid and sodiump-toluene sulfonic acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, aminocaproicacid and succinate or mixtures thereof as an excipient in any of theamounts or concentrations described herein. Formulations with improvedstability (e.g., reduced aggregation) and shelf-life are also provided.

The invention also provides a kit comprising a liquid proteinformulation of the invention, and instructions for its administration,optionally with a container, syringe and/or other administration device.The invention further provides a kit comprising a lyophilized proteinformulation of the invention, optionally in a container, andinstructions for its reconstitution and administration, optionally witha vial of sterile diluent, and optionally with a syringe or otheradministration device. Exemplary containers include vials, tubes,bottles, single or multi-chambered pre-filled syringes, or cartridges,but also a 96-well plate comprising ready-to-use freeze-dried orspray-dried formulations sitting in the wells. Exemplary administrationdevices include syringes, with or without needles, infusion pumps, jetinjectors, pen devices, transdermal injectors, or other needle-freeinjectors.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method forscreening for a viscosity-reducing concentration of an excipientcomprising the steps of: (1) assessing the viscosity of a first solutioncomprising a first concentration of an excipient selected from the groupconsisting of meglumine, ornithine, sodium-p-toluene sulfonate,benzenesulfonic acid, gluconic acid, glucoronic acid, aminocaproic acid,carnitine, and succinate or mixtures thereof and a therapeutic protein,such as an antibody, (2) assessing the viscosity of a second solutioncomprising a different second concentration of the excipient and thetherapeutic protein, and (3) determining that the first concentration ofexcipient is more viscosity-reducing than the second concentration ofexcipient if the first solution is less viscous. Viscosity can bedetermined, e.g., using a m-VROC™ Technology rheometer (RheoSense, SanRamon, Calif., USA) or an Aries ARG2 Rheometer or a Brookfield RV-DVIIIRheometer.

Similar methods are provided for screening for an aggregation-reducingor stabilizing concentration of an excipient.

Stability can be assessed in many ways, including monitoringconformational change over a range of temperatures (thermostability)and/or time periods (shelf-life) and/or after exposure to stressfulhandling situations (e.g. physical shaking). Stability of formulationscontaining varying concentrations of formulation components can bemeasured using a variety of methods. For example, the amount of proteinaggregation can be measured by visual observation of turbidity, bymeasuring absorbance at a specific wavelength, by size exclusionchromatography (in which aggregates of a protein will elute in differentfractions compared to the protein in its native active state), HPLC, orother chromatographic methods.

Other methods of measuring conformational change can be used, includingusing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), e.g. to determine thetemperature of denaturation, or circular dichroism (CD), which measuresthe molar ellipticity of the protein. Fluorescence can also be used toanalyze the composition. Fluorescence encompasses the release orabsorption of energy in the form of light or heat, and changes in thepolar properties of light. Fluorescence emission can be intrinsic to aprotein or can be due to a fluorescence reporter molecule, that forexample binds to the hydrophobic pockets of partially unfolded proteins.An increase in binding of reporter molecules can be monitored bydetection of the fluorescence signal of a protein sample. Other meansfor measuring stability can be used and are well known to persons ofskill in the art.

In experiments carried out, first, the viscosity lowering potential ofmeglumine, ornithine, carnitine, benzenesulfonic acid and sodiump-toluene sulfonic acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, aminocaproicacid and succinate alone are tested in combination with six types ofantibodies (mAbA, mAbB mAbC (IgG2), mAbD, mAbE, mAbF) and one fusionprotein (FusionA). The concentrations of the proteins are adjustedeither at 98 mg/ml or 99 mg/ml or 173 mg/ml or 177 mg/ml or 200 mg/ml or220 mg/ml or 260 mg/ml or 270 mg/ml to create high viscosity levels.

As already described above, the pH value of these formulations is ofparticular importance for their effectiveness and the usability of therespective pharmaceutically active protein. It is therefore desirablethat the pH of the protein formulations investigated is adjusted in therange of between about 4.5 to about 8.0. Depending on the nature of thecontaining protein or peptide the pH value is adjusted preferably in arange between about 4.6 to about 5.4 or in a range between about 5.4 toabout 7.9. The buffers used to adjust the pH are preferably an acetatebuffer (25 mM) at pH 5 and phosphate buffered saline (10 mM) at pH 7. Ifnecessary, however, another buffer can be used, which is compatible withthe contained pharmaceutically active protein and physiologicallyacceptable.

The concentrations of the viscosity lowering agents are adjusted in arange from between 50 mM towards 500 mM (Examples 1 A-E). A chip-based(micro-electro-mechanical system) capillary rheometer, m-VROC™(RheoSence, San Ramon, Calif.), was employed to measure the dynamicviscosity. In general, the dynamic viscosity which is also referred toas absolute viscosity (coefficient of absolute viscosity) is a measureof internal resistance which can be determined by the self-associationof the protein molecules within a highly concentrated solution.

Determined viscosities clearly indicate, that applying solely meglumine,ornithine, carnitine, benzenesulfonic acid and sodium p-toluene sulfonicacid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, aminocaproic acid and succinate ata certain concentration together with a specific antibody or fusionprotein results in a measurable significant reduction of viscosity ofhighly concentrated protein solutions.

However, particularly unexpectedly the experiments have shown, that thecombined addition of meglumine, ornithine or carnitine and of acounterion selected from toluene sulfonate, benzenesulfonic acid,gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, aminocaproic acid and succinate leads toa significantly higher viscosity reduction.

As already pointed out, especially if mixtures of meglumine or ofornithine together with one of the counterions selected from toluenesulfonate and benzenesulfonic acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid,aminocaproic acid and succinate are added in equimolar amounts to theconcentrated protein solution, for example to solutions of (mAbA andmAbB), a particularly good viscosity reduction is achieved.

In further experiments, the potential of mixtures of either the cationicamino sugar meglumine or the amino acid ornithine or of carnitine incombination with sodium p-toluene sulfonate, benzenesulfonic acid,gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, aminocaproic acid or succinate as anegative counterion to reduce the viscosity of highly concentratedantibody solutions (mAbA & mAbB) was investigated.

In further experiments, the potential of mixtures of either the cationicamino sugar meglumine or the amino acid ornithine in combination withsodium p-toluene sulfonate or benzenesulfonic acid as a negative chargedcounterion to reduce the viscosity of highly concentrated antibodysolutions (mAbA & mAbB) was investigated. For each of these studies,mixtures of equimolar amounts of these excipients were added.Particularly good results were found here for concentrations of 150 mM(Examples 2 A-C).

All model antibodies were formulated at a rather high concentrations ofabout 100 mg/ml, some of about 150 mg/ml, especially of more than 200mg/ml, and in particular of 220 mg/ml (mAbB) and 270 mg/mL (mAbA) in 10mM phosphate buffer saline at pH 7. A chip-based(micro-electro-mechanical system) capillary rheometer, m-VROC™(RheoSence, San Ramon, Calif.), was employed to measure the viscosity.

In all cases, the specific equimolar mixtures at a concentration of 150mM of the cationic amino-sugar meglumine or the amino acid ornithine anda negatively charged counter ion like sodium-p-toluene sulfonate orbenzenesulfonic acid show a significant reduction of the viscositymeasured in the highly concentrated antibody solutions.

The viscosity lowering potential of meglumine and L-ornithinehydrochloride is tested in concentrated solutions comprising threedifferent types of antibodies (chimeric IgG1, human IgG2, humanizedIgG4). The average concentrations of these solutions were 99 mg/ml, 173mg/ml or 177 mg/ml.

In experiments, it has been found that both excipients can significantlyreduce the viscosity of antibody formulations when added to the proteinsolution at a concentration of 150 mM, respectively.

Also in solutions in which mAbD is contained as a protein, the additionof each 150 mM sodium p-toluenesulfonate and benzenesulfonic acid causesa significant reduction in viscosity.

Furthermore, the addition of 150 mM D-gluconic acid sodium salt to anmAbD-containing solution leads to a lowering of the viscosity.

The use of an equimolar combination of L-ornithine hydrochloride ormeglumine with sodium p-toluene sulfonate or benzene sulfonic acid alsodecreased the viscosity of highly concentrated antibody solutions (mAbD& mAbE) markedly. In addition, as shown by the experiments carried out,various other combinations of the auxiliaries mentioned herein reducethe viscosity of high concentration antibody solutions.

Therefore, the combinations of excipients mentioned here are notexhaustive, and there are other possible combinations that lead tocorresponding results.

The experiments have also shown a further advantageous effect, whichresults from the addition of the excipients mentioned here. Sinceusually used in pharmaceutics formulations for reliable effect evenafter several weeks storage time still have to have their activity,appropriate storage experiments were carried out and then checked thestability of the proteins.

For example, the stability of mAbD, indicated by the amount of monomer,can be improved during an accelerated stability study by the addition of150 mM meglumine, 150 mM L-ornithine hydrochloride or an equimolarcombination of L-ornithine hydrochloride and sodium-p-toluenesulfonate,each 75 mM.

In this regard, the attempts to reduce the viscosity of the variousprotein solutions have shown that, depending on the protein contained inthe particular solution, different additives result in the beststabilizations and reductions in viscosities.

In this context the best formulation for the protein mAbD is acomposition comprising 5 mM phosphate buffer, 146 mM sucrose, 0.05 g/LPolysorbat 80, 75 mM L-ornitine hydrochloride, and 75 mMSodium-p-toluenesulfonate dissolved in Milli-Q-Water and adjusted to pH7.2.

For MAbE in turn the best formulation is a composition comprising 20 mMAcetate buffer, 0.1 g/L Polysorbate 80, 150 mM Meglumine dissolved inMilli-Q-Water and adjusted to pH 5.0, and for MAbF the best formulationis a composition comprising 20 mM acetate buffer, 205 mM sucrose, 75 mMmeglumine, 75 mM D-gluconic acid sodium salt dissolved in Milli-Q-Waterand adjusted to pH 5.5.

Preferred Embodiments:

Particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention consist inadding excipients selected from the group consisting of meglumine,ornithine, sodium-p-toluene sulfonate, benzenesulfonic acid, gluconicacid, glucoronic acid, aminocaproic acid, carnitine, and succinate,either alone or in combination, to highly concentrated protein solutionsas described above for viscosity reduction. Particularly preferably, theaddition of meglumine either in combination with benzenesulfonic acid orwith sodium p-toluene sulfonic acid as counterion leads to goodviscosity reductions. In another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention ornithine in combination with benzenesulfonic acid or withsodium p-toluene sulfonic acid as counterion leads also to goodviscosity reductions. Accordingly, viscosity reduction in concentratedprotein solutions by Meg>Meg-sodium-p-toluene sulfonate>sodium-p-toluenesulfonate>benzenesulfonic acid>ornithine>all other combinations of theseexcipient are preferred.

The formulation of solution preparations and freeze drying can becarried out by the methods as described above and as disclosed in thefollowing examples.

The present description enables one of ordinary skill in the art topractice the present invention comprehensively. Even without furthercomments, it is therefore assumed that a person of ordinary skill in theart will be able to utilise the above description in the broadest scope.

Although the invention has been described in connection with preferredembodiments, it should be understood that various modifications,additions and alterations may be made to the invention by one skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

If anything is unclear, it is understood that the publications andpatent literature cited and known to the artisan should be consulted.Accordingly, cited documents are regarded as part of the disclosurecontent of the present description and are incorporated herein byreference.

For better understanding and in order to illustrate the invention,examples are presented below which are within the scope of protection ofthe present invention. These examples also serve to illustrate possiblevariants.

Furthermore, it goes without saying to one of ordinary skill in the artthat, both in the examples given and also in the remainder of thedescription, the component amounts present in the compositions alwaysonly add up to 100% by weight or mol %, based on the composition as awhole, and cannot exceed this percentage, even if higher values couldarise from the percent ranges indicated. Unless indicated otherwise, %data are therefore % by weight or mol %, with the exception of ratios,which are shown in volume data.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Viscosity reducing effect of meglumine, L-ornithine hydrochloride,sodium-p-toluene sulfonate and benzenesulfonic acid in highlyconcentrated protein solutions

-   -   Example 1A) Viscosity of mAbA at a protein concentration of 260        mg/ml is significantly reduced by meglumine, L-ornithine        hydrochloride and sodium-p-toluene sulfonate, but not by        benzenesulfonic acid at 50 mM.    -   Example 1B) Due to the environmental change of buffer and pH,        viscosity of mAbA is also significantly reduced by        benzene-sulfonic-acid as excipient (at 150 mM).    -   Example 1C) Viscosity of mAbB at a protein concentration of 200        mg/ml shows a significantly reduced viscosity by meglumine,        L-ornithine hydrochloride and sodium-p-toluene sulfonate at 500        mM.    -   Example 1D) for mAbC the excipient benzene-sulfonic-acid        exhibits a clear viscosity reducing effect at 150 mM. For the        other investigated excipients, a reducing effect was found, too.    -   Example 1E) for the fusion protein ‘FusionA’ only a slightly        viscosity reducing effect was found for all excipients. Only        benzene-sulfonic-acid at a concentration of 50 mM shows a        stronger reduction.

Example 1 A)

Viscosity reducing effect of meglumine, L-ornithine hydrochloride andsodium-p-toluene sulfonate in highly concentrated mAbA solution (260mg/ml) formulated in a 25 mM Acetate buffer pH 5.0 shown in FIG. 1.

Buffer Preparation:

-   -   25 mM Sodium Acetate Trihydrate and 25 mM Glacial Acid were        dissolved in Milli-Q-Water and the pH was adjusted to 5.0 (±0.1)        using HCl or NaOH, if necessary.

Sample Preparation:

-   -   Excipient solutions of 50 mM of meglumine, L-ornithine        hydrochloride, sodium-p-toluene sulfonate and benzenesulfonic        acid were prepared in 25 mM Acetate buffer pH 5.0. The pH was        adjusted using HCl or NaOH, if necessary.    -   A concentrated mAbA solution containing the relevant excipient        was prepared with ultra-centrifugal filters (30 kDa MWCO) by        exchanging the buffer with the relevant excipient solution above        and concentrating the protein by reducing the volume of the        solution. Afterwards the concentrated protein solution was        diluted to 260 mg/ml using the appropriate excipient solution        above.

Viscosity Measurements:

-   -   The m-VROC™ Technology (RheoSense, San Ramon, Calif., USA) was        used for viscosity measurements.

Measurements were performed using a 500 μl syringe and a shear rate of5000 s⁻¹. The required sample volume was 200 μl and samples were testedin triplicate.

Example 1 B)

Viscosity reducing effect of meglumine, L-ornithine hydrochloride,sodium-p-toluene sulfonate and benzenesulfonic acid in a highlyconcentrated mAbA solution (260 mg/mL) formulated in Phosphate BufferedSaline (PBS) pH 7.0 shown in FIG. 2.

Buffer Preparation:

-   -   The buffer contained 0.01 M Phosphate Buffer, 0.0027 M Potassium        Chloride and 0.137 M Sodium Chloride dissolved in Milli-Q-Water.        The pH was adjusted to 7.0 (±0.1) using HCl or NaOH, if        necessary.

Sample Preparation:

-   -   Excipient solutions of 150 mM of meglumine, L-ornithine        hydrochloride, sodium-p-toluene sulfonate and benzenesulfonic        acid were prepared in PBS pH 7.0. The pH was adjusted using HCl        or NaOH, if necessary.    -   A concentrated mAbA solution containing the relevant excipient        was prepared with ultra-centrifugal filters (30 kDa MWCO) by        exchanging the buffer with the relevant excipient solution above        and concentrating the protein by reducing the volume of the        solution. Afterwards the concentrated protein solution was        diluted to 260 mg/mL using the appropriate excipient solution        above.

The viscosity measurement was performed as described in Example 1 A).

Example 1 C)

viscosity reducing effect of meglumine, L-ornithine hydrochloride andsodium-p-toluene sulfonate in a highly concentrated mAbB solution (200mg/mL) formulated in PBS pH 7.0 shown in FIG. 3.

Buffer Preparation:

-   -   The buffer preparation was performed as described in Example 1        B).

Sample Preparation:

-   -   Excipient solutions of 500 mM of meglumine, L-ornithine        hydrochloride, sodium-p-toluene sulfonate and benzenesulfonic        acid were prepared in PBS pH 7.0. The pH was adjusted using HCl        or NaOH, if necessary.    -   A concentrated mAbB solution containing the relevant excipient        was prepared with ultra-centrifugal filters (30 kDa MWCO) by        exchanging the buffer with the relevant excipient solution above        and concentrating the protein by reducing the volume of the        solution. Afterwards the concentrated protein solution was        diluted to 200 mg/mL using the appropriate excipient solution        above.

The viscosity measurement was performed as described in Example 1 A).

Example 1 D)

Viscosity reducing effect of meglumine, L-ornithine, sodium-p-toluenesulfonate and benzenesulfonic acid for mAbC formulated at 260 mg/mL(+/−2.7%) in phosphate buffer pH 7 shown in FIG. 4.

Buffer Preparation:

-   -   A phosphate buffer was prepared containing 100 mM sodium        phosphate, 2.7 mM potassium chloride and 137 mM sodium chloride.

Sample Preparation:

-   -   Excipient solutions of 150 mM meglumine, L-ornithine,        sodium-p-toluene sulfonate and benzenesulfonic acid were        prepared in the phosphate buffer. The pH value was checked and        adjusted to 7.0 (+/−0.1) using hydrochloric acid or sodium        hydroxide, if necessary.    -   A protein solution of mAbC (app. 147 kDa) at 71 mg/ml was washed        and concentrated in phosphate buffer pH 7 containing 150 mM of        the corresponding excipient.    -   Washing and concentration of mAbC to 260 mg/ml was done using        ultra centrifugal filter units with a 30 kDa MWCO.

The mVROC method was performed as described in Example 1 A).

Example 1 E)

Viscosity reducing effect of meglumine, L-ornithine hydrochloride,sodium-p-toluene sulfonate and benzenesulfonic acid for fusionAformulated at 200 mg/ml (+/−5.0%) in phosphate buffer pH 7 shown in FIG.5.

Buffer Preparation:

-   -   A phosphate buffer was prepared containing 100 mM sodium        phosphate, 2.7 mM potassium chloride and 137 mM sodium chloride.

Sample Preparation:

-   -   Excipient solutions of 50 mM meglumine, L-ornithine        hydrochloride, sodium-p-toluene sulfonate and benzenesulfonic        acid were prepared in the phosphate buffer. The pH value was        checked and adjusted to 7.0 (+/−0.1) using hydrochloric acid or        sodium hydroxide, if necessary.    -   A protein solution of FusionA (app. 51 kDa) at 50 mg/ml was        washed and concentrated in phosphate buffer pH 7 containing 300        mM of the corresponding excipient.    -   Washing and concentration of mAbD to 200 mg/ml was done using        ultra centrifugal filter units with a 30 kDa MWCO at 2,000×g.

The mVROC method was performed as described in Example 1 A).

Example 2

Viscosity reducing effect of combination of two excipients (meglumine,L-ornithine hydrochloride, sodium-p-toluene sulfonate andbenzenesulfonic acid) in highly concentrated protein solutions

-   -   Example 2 A) shows a viscosity reduction of mAbA at a        concentration of 270 mg/ml (+/−2.6%) using combinations of        meglumine and benzenesulfonic acid or meglumine and        sodium-p-toluene sulfonate (each present at 75 mM in the PBS pH        7).    -   Example 2 B) exhibits a stronger viscosity reducing effect on        mAbA using the excipient combination of L-ornithine        hydrochloride with benzenesulfonic acid (both present at 75 mM        in the buffer). The combination of L-ornithine hydrochloride and        sodium-p-toluene sulfonate has a reducing effect, too.    -   Example 2 C) shows a clear reduction of the viscosity of mAbB at        a concentration of 220 mg/ml in a PBS buffer at pH 7 for all        combinations of excipients investigated. The highest influence        was caused by the combination of meglumine and sodium-p-toluene        sulfonate (both 75 mM) reducing the viscosity of the pure mAbB        in PBS from 125 mPa*s to 37.7 mPa*s.

Example 2 A)

Viscosity reducing effect of the combination of the excipients Meglumineand benzenesulfonic acid (1:1), Meglumine and sodium-p-toluene sulfonate(1:1) at a cumulative concentration of 150 mM in a highly concentratedmAbA solution (270 mg/ml) formulated in PBS pH 7.0 shown in FIG. 6.

Buffer Preparation:

-   -   The buffer preparation was performed as described in Example 1        B).

Sample Preparation:

-   -   Excipient solutions containing 75 mM meglumine and 75 mM        benzenesulfonic acid or 75 mM sodium-p-toluene sulfonate were        prepared in PBS pH 7.0. The pH was adjusted using hydrochloric        acid or sodium hydroxide, if necessary.    -   A concentrated mAbA solution containing the relevant excipient        combination was prepared with ultra-centrifugal filters (30 kDa        MWCO) by exchanging the buffer with the relevant excipient        combination solution above and concentrating the protein by        reducing the volume of the solution. Afterwards the concentrated        protein solution was diluted to 270 mg/ml using the appropriate        excipient combination solution above.

The viscosity measurement was performed as described in Example 1 A).

Example 2 B)

Viscosity reducing effect of the combination of the excipientsL-ornithine hydrochloride and benzenesulfonic acid (1:1), L-ornithinehydrochloride and sodium-p-toluene sulfonate (1:1) at a cumulativeconcentration of 150 mM in a highly concentrated mAbA solution (270mg/ml) formulated in PBS pH 7.0 shown in FIG. 7.

Buffer Preparation:

-   -   The buffer preparation was performed as described in Example 1        B).

Sample Preparation:

-   -   Excipient solutions containing 75 mM L-ornithine hydrochloride        and 75 mM benzenesulfonic acid or 75 mM sodium-p-toluene        sulfonate were prepared in PBS pH 7.0. The pH was adjusted using        hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide, if necessary.    -   The remaining sample preparation was performed as described in        Example 2 A).

The viscosity measurement was performed as described in Example 1 A).

Example 2 C)

Viscosity reducing effect of the combination of the excipientsL-ornithine hydrochloride and benzenesulfonic acid (1:1), L-ornithinehydrochloride and sodium-p-toluene sulfonate (1:1), meglumine andbenzenesulfonic acid (1:1), meglumine and sodium-p-toluene sulfonate(1:1) in a highly concentrated mAbB solution (220 mg/mL) formulated inPBS pH 7.0 shown in FIG. 8 to 10.

Buffer Preparation:

-   -   The buffer preparation was performed as described in Example 1        B).

Sample Preparation:

-   -   Excipient solutions of 75 mM L-ornithine hydrochloride and 75 mM        benzenesulfonic acid, 75 mM L-ornithine hydrochloride and 75 mM        sodium-p-toluene sulfonate, 75 mM meglumine and 75 mM        benzenesulfonic acid, 75 mM meglumine and 75 mM sodium-p-toluene        sulfonate were prepared in PBS pH 7.0. The pH was adjusted using        hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide, if necessary.    -   A concentrated mAbB solution containing the relevant excipient        combination was prepared with ultra-centrifugal filters (30 kDa        MWCO) by exchanging the buffer with the relevant excipient        combination solution above and concentrating the protein by        reducing the volume of the solution. Afterwards the concentrated        protein solution was diluted to 220 mg/mL using the appropriate        excipient combination solution above.

The viscosity measurement was performed as described in Example 1 A).

Example 3

Buffer Preparation:

The buffer contains 5 mM phosphate buffer, 146 mM sucrose, 0.05 g/LPolysorbat 80 dissolved in Milli-Q-Water. The pH is adjusted to pH 7.2(±0.05) using HCl or NaOH, if necessary.

Sample Preparation:

The excipient solutions are prepared with a concentration of 150 mM inthe phosphate buffer mentioned above.

The combinations of two excipients are prepared with an equimolarconcentration of 75 mM for each excipient in the phosphate buffer.

A concentrated MAbD solution is prepared using an ultra-centrifugalfilter (30 kDa MWCO) by buffer exchange with the respective excipientsolution.

The concentrated protein solution is diluted to 100 mg/mL with thecorresponding excipient solution above.

The viscosity measurement is performed as described in Example 1 A).

Example 4

Buffer Preparation:

The buffer solution containing 20 mM acetate buffer, 0.1 g/L Polysorbat80 is prepared by dissolving in Milli-Q-Water. The pH is adjusted to pH5.0 (±0.05) using HCl or NaOH, if necessary.

Sample Preparation:

The excipient solutions are prepared with a concentration of 150 mM inthe acetate buffer as mentioned above.

The combinations of two excipients are prepared with an equimolarconcentration of 75 mM of each excipient in said acetate buffer.

A concentrated MAbE solution is prepared using an ultra-centrifugalfilter (30 kDa MWCO) by buffer exchange with the respective excipientsolution.

The concentrated protein solution is diluted to a concentration of 170mg/mL with the corresponding excipient solution mentioned above.

The viscosity measurement is performed as described in Example 1 A).

Example 5

Buffer Preparation:

The buffer contained 20 mM acetate buffer, 205 mM sucrose dissolved inMilli-Q-Water. The pH was adjusted to pH 5.5 (±0.05) using HCl or NaOH,if necessary.

Sample Preparation:

The excipient solutions are prepared with a concentration of 150 mM inthe Acetate buffer mentioned above.

The combinations of two excipients were prepared with an equimolarconcentration of 75 mM for each excipient in the acetate buffer.

A concentrated MAbF solution is prepared using an ultra-centrifugalfilter (30 kDa MWCO) by buffer exchange with the respective excipientsolution.

The concentrated protein solution is diluted to 180 mg/mL with thecorresponding excipient solution above.

The viscosity measurement is performed as described in Example 1 A).

LIST OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 Example 1 A) Viscosity reducing effect of meglumine, L-ornithinehydrochloride and sodium-p-toluene sulfonate in highly concentrated mAbAsolution (260 mg/ml) formulated in a 25 mM Acetate buffer pH 5.0

FIG. 2 Example 1 B) Viscosity reducing effect of meglumine, L-ornithinehydrochloride, sodium-p-toluene sulfonate and benzenesulfonic acid in ahighly concentrated mAbA solution (260 mg/mL) formulated in PhosphateBuffered Saline (PBS) pH 7.0

FIG. 3 Example 1 C) viscosity reducing effect of meglumine, L-ornithinehydrochloride and sodium-p-toluene sulfonate in a highly concentratedmAbB solution (200 mg/mL) formulated in PBS pH 7.0

FIG. 4 Example 1 D) Viscosity reducing effect of meglumine, L-ornithine,sodium-p-toluene sulfonate and benzenesulfonic acid for mAbC formulatedat 260 mg/mL (+/−2.7%) in phosphate buffer pH 7

FIG. 5 Example 1 E) Viscosity reducing effect of meglumine, L-ornithinehydrochloride, sodium-p-toluene sulfonate and benzenesulfonic acid forfusionA formulated at 200 mg/ml (+/−5.0%) in phosphate buffer pH 7

FIG. 6 Example 2 A) Viscosity reducing effect of the combination of theexcipients Meglumine and benzenesulfonic acid (1:1), Meglumine andsodium-p-toluene sulfonate (1:1) at a cumulative concentration of 150 mMin a highly concentrated mAbA solution (270 mg/ml) formulated in PBS pH7.0

FIG. 7 Example 2 B) Viscosity reducing effect of the combination of theexcipients L-ornithine hydrochloride and benzenesulfonic acid (1:1),L-ornithine hydrochloride and sodium-p-toluene sulfonate (1:1) at acumulative concentration of 150 mM in a highly concentrated mAbAsolution (270 mg/ml) formulated in PBS pH 7.0

FIG. 8 Example 2 C) Viscosity reducing effect of the combination of theexcipients L-ornithine hydrochloride and benzenesulfonic acid (1:1),L-ornithine hydrochloride and sodium-p-toluene sulfonate (1:1),meglumine and benzenesulfonic acid (1:1), meglumine and sodium-p-toluenesulfonate (1:1) in a highly concentrated mAbB solution (220 mg/mL)formulated in PBS pH 7.0

FIG. 9: Example 3) Viscosity reducing effect of the combination of theexcipients meglumine and gluconic acid (1:1), meglumine glucuronic acid(1:1), ornitine and gluconic acid (1:1), ornitine glucuronic acid (1:1),in a highly concentrated mAbD solution (100 mg/ml) formulated in aphosphate buffer pH 7.2

FIG. 10: Viscosity reducing effect of a concentrated protein solution ofmAbE which is diluted to a concentration of 170 mg/mL with a solutioncomprising a combination of two excipients with an equimolarconcentration of 75 mM for each excipient in an acetate buffer (pH 5.0)comprising Polysorbat 80 as described in Example 4.

FIG. 11 Viscosity reducing effect of a concentrated protein solution ofmAbD which is diluted to a concentration of 100 mg/mL with a solutioncomprising a combination of two excipients with an equimolarconcentration of 75 mM for each excipient in the phosphate buffer (pH7.2) comprising sucrose and Polysorbat 80 as described in Example 3

FIG. 12 Viscosity reducing effect of a concentrated protein solution ofmAbE which is diluted to a concentration of 170 mg/mL with a solutioncomprising a combination of two excipients with an equimolarconcentration of 75 mM for each excipient in an acetate buffer (pH 5.0)comprising Polysorbat 80 as described in Example 4.

FIG. 13 Viscosity reducing effect of a concentrated protein solution ofmAbF which is diluted to a concentration of about 180 mg/ml with asolution comprising a combination of two excipients with an equimolarconcentration of 75 mM for each excipient in an acetate buffer solution(pH 5.5) comprising sucrose as described in Example 5.

FIG. 14 Stability study for mAbD at 25° C. and 60% RH in the presence ofvarious excipients over 12 weeks. (Abbreviations: MG=meglumine;OM=L-ornithine monohydrochloride; NTS=sodium-p-toluene sulfonate;w/o=without, this means market formulation without excipient)

1. A method for reducing the viscosity of a liquid formulationcomprising a pharmaceutically active protein in a concentration in therange of at least 50 mg/ml up to 300 mg/ml, comprising the step ofcombining the protein solution with a viscosity-reducing concentrationof an excipient selected from the group consisting of the meglumine,ornithine, carnitine, benzenesulfonic acid and sodium p-toluene sulfonicacid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, aminocaproic acid and succinate ormixtures thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the therapeuticprotein is selected from the group of antibodies, antibody fragments,minibody, a modified antibody, antibody-like molecule and fusionprotein.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein meglumine and benzenesulfonicacid as counterion or meglumine and sodium p-toluene sulfonic ascounterion are added as viscosity-reducing excipients.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein ornithine and benzenesulfonic acid as counterion orornithine and sodium p-toluene sulfonic acid as counterion are added asviscosity-reducing excipients.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinmeglumine and ornithine are added as viscosity-reducing excipient. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein meglumine or ornithine or carnitine and acounterion selected from the group benzenesulfonic acid, sodiump-toluene sulfonic acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid aminocaproicacid, and succinate are added as viscosity-reducing excipients. 7.Method according to claim 3, wherein the viscosity-reducing excipientsare added in equimolar amounts.
 8. The method according to claim 1,wherein viscosity of the formulation is reduced by at least 12%.
 9. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein viscosity of the formulation isreduced by at least 50%.
 10. The method according to claim 1, whereinviscosity of the formulation is reduced by at least 75%.
 11. Apharmaceutical formulation produced by the method of claim 1 having areduced viscosity.
 12. A pharmaceutical composition of claim 11comprising a therapeutic protein in a concentration of at least 50 mg/mlup to 300 mg/ml and an excipient selected from the group consisting ofmeglumine, ornithine, carnitine, benzenesulfonic acid and sodiump-toluene sulfonic acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, aminocaproicacid and succinate or mixtures thereof.
 13. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 11, wherein meglumine and benzenesulfonic acid ascounterion are comprised as viscosity-reducing excipients.
 14. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 11, wherein meglumine and sodiump-toluene sulfonic acid as counterion are added as viscosity-reducingexcipients.
 15. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 11, whereinornithine and benzenesulfonic acid as counterion are added asviscosity-reducing excipient.
 16. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 11, wherein ornithine and sodium p-toluene sulfonic acid ascounterion are added as viscosity-reducing excipients.
 17. Thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 13, wherein theviscosity-reducing excipients are added in equimolar amounts.
 18. Thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 13, wherein theconcentration of the excipients is less than about 500 mM, especiallyless than 200 mM.
 19. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim11, having a pH in the range between about 4.5 to about 8.0.
 20. Thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 11, having a pH in therange between about 5.4 to about 7.9.
 21. The pharmaceutical compositionaccording to claim 11, having a pH of about 4.6 to about 5.4.
 22. Amethod of preparing a lyophilized powder comprising the step oflyophilizing the pharmaceutical composition according to claim
 11. 23. Alyophilized powder of claim 22 comprising a therapeutic protein and anexcipient selected from the group consisting of meglumine, ornithine,carnitine, benzenesulfonic acid and sodium p-toluene sulfonic acid,gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, aminocaproic acid and succinate ormixtures thereof, wherein the excipient is present at a weight: weightconcentration effective to reduce viscosity upon reconstitution with adiluent.
 24. The lyophilized powder of claim 22 wherein the excipient ispresent at a concentration of between about 100 μg per mg therapeuticprotein to about 1 mg per mg therapeutic protein.
 25. The lyophilizedpowder of claim 22, wherein the excipient is present at a concentrationbetween about 200 μg to about 500 μg per mg therapeutic protein to about1 mg per mg therapeutic protein.
 26. A method for reconstituting alyophilized powder of claim 22, comprising the step of adding a sterileaqueous diluent.
 27. The method of claim 1 wherein the therapeuticprotein is selected from the group of antibodies, antibody fragments,minibody, a modified antibody, antibody-like molecule and fusionprotein.
 28. The pharmaceutical formulation or pharmaceuticalcomposition according to claim 11 wherein the therapeutic protein isselected from the group of antibodies, antibody fragments, minibody, amodified antibody, antibody-like molecule and fusion protein.
 29. Thelyophilized powder of claim 23 wherein the therapeutic protein isselected from the group of antibodies, antibody fragments, minibody, amodified antibody, antibody-like molecule and fusion protein.
 30. Kitcomprising a pharmaceutical formulation of claim
 28. 31. Kit comprisinga freeze-dried or spray-dried preparation of a pharmaceuticalcomposition, obtainable by a method according to claim 1 which can bemade into solution preparations prior to use.
 32. Kit according to claim30, comprising ready-to-use freeze-dried or spray-dried formulationssitting in a 96-well plate.
 33. Kit according to claim 31 foradministration to patients, including a container, syringe and/or otheradministration device with or without needles, infusion pumps, jetinjectors, pen devices, transdermal injectors, or other needle-freeinjector and instructions.